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RPS names several interim school principals
Interim principals have been tapped by Richmond Public Schools for the 2022-2023 school year. They will serve at Chim- borazo Elementary School, J.B. Fisher Elementary School, Mary Scott Preschool, Oak Grove-Bellmeade Elementary School, and Summer Hill Preschool. “In each one of these candidates we saw great leaders who we know will lead with love and inspire our students to great- ness,” said RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras. It has not been stated how long the administrators will serve as interims. The new interim principals are: Cordell Watkins, who was assistant principal at J.L. Fran- cis Elementary for five years, will become interim principal of Chimborazo Elementary. Mr. Watkins also taught at eight schools within the division since he joined Richmond Public Schools in 2001. He earned a master’s in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech University and a bachelor’s of science in education from Old Dominion University. Lee A. Doxey will become the interim principal of Summer Hill Preschool, after spending numerous years with RPS as Early Head — Head Start coordinator of Student Support and Intervention. Previously, Ms. Doxey taught for PACT Head Start in Honolulu, was a private preschool director and teacher in Virginia Beach, and taught grades 1 through 3 for RPS. Ms. Doxey earned her bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, and a master’s in Educational Administra- tion from Grand Canyon University. Mark Davis II is the interim principal of J.B. Fisher Elemen- tary School. He previously worked for the Knowledge Is Power Program and the Oklahoma Public Charter School System as a manager and network administrator. Dr. Davis has more than 15 years of experience working with young people, including tenure as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and division administrator. He earned a bachelor’s in agricultural sciences from Langston University, a master’s of business administration in finance from Webster University, and a doctor of education degree in educational leadership from Saint Louis University. Fatima Smith will serve as the interim principal of Oak Grove-Bellemeade. She previously was principal at Patrick Henry School of Science & Arts and in the New York City Public Schools. Under her leadership, PHSSA was recognized as a 2022 National Green Ribbon School, and PHSSA fourth graders won the White House Historical Association Prize at the 2022 Virginia History Day competition. Ms. Smith earned a bachelor’s in English, journalism and communication from Old Dominion University, and a master’s in curriculum and instruction from St. John’s University. Lisa Johnson-Hicks, a longtime RPS employee who has served in numerous roles, including Head Start teacher and Virginia Preschool Initiative Plus coach, will lead Mary Scott Preschool as interim principal. Ms. Johnson-Hicks earned a bachelor’s in early childhood education from Norfolk State University, and a master’s from Central Michigan University.
